GORDON, Mary Elizabeth

With her children at her side, Mary Gordon died peacefully on August 2, 2012 in Calgary, AB.

Mary was born February 15, 1915 in Rosetown, SK, the first child of Joseph and Alice Smith. In June of 1939, she married Stewart Gordon and together they raised a family and built a business in Rosetown until she and Stewart retired in 1970 and moved to Calgary. She was of the generation that came of age in Saskatchewan during the depression and dust bowl of the 1930s, a time and an experience from which she learned that living with uncertainty requires relying on family, friends and community. Mary Gordon lived a life dedicated to all three.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, her brother S. Swain Smith and, in a tragic inversion of the order of things, by two of her children, Alan and Bill. She is survived by her daughter Gail Kingwell of Calgary and her son Kenneth Gordon of Edmonton; their partners Doug Collins and Ruth Wolfe; and by grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

There will be no service. A child of the prairies, her ashes will be returned to Rosetown and buried next to those of her husband and two of her children. Her family would like to thank Ileana Pisarik for her compassionate companionship. For the last four years of her life, Mary was cared for by extraordinary and loving staff at Bow View Manor, an exemplary long-term care facility owned by the Brenda Strafford Foundation. Mary’s family would be grateful if friends would make donations in her memory to The Brenda Strafford Foundation Ltd., 4628 Montgomery Boulevard NW, Calgary, Alberta T3B 0K7. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com.

In living memory of Mary Gordon, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.

Condolence Messages

To the Family of Mary Gordon, We wish you strength and joy in remembering this fine woman.While we never had the blessing to meet her we know her son Ken and can imagine how special his mother was. To all of you and especially to Ken, Ruth and their sons we send condolences. May you be united in grieving and love. Ruth and Jackie Bernard